Ah you're a Catholic!

When I've lived abroad most people have assumed I'm Christian because I'm English. I go with it even though I'm an atheist. I'm culturally Christian and celebrate Christmas so it doesn't feel like too much of a stretch.

IMe a lot of British people absolutely don’t know that Ireland is multicultural now.

I’m talking about you. Not your colleague. They’ve probably just finished Derry girls.

My parents are Irish. IMO what you’ve experienced is related to English people tending to know Irish people of my parents generation (the big influx of immigration in the 50/60s) who would’ve had catholic backgrounds.

many British people wouldn’t know any Irish people who lived in Ireland more recently than that. As you know the diaspora brought a lot of community with them and that was often visibly associated with the church.

personally I’m surprised that people are asking you about it, but British people aren’t very religious in any recent generation so it might just be something they remember/ are interested in?

You’re overthinking this. Ireland is majority catholic. It’s not unreasonable to assume you’re catholic (a catholic atheist if you will) anyone over 40 will assume the same. They mean no harm. I would do the same from a family of Irish catholics. You must be very young if you’re from Ireland and have never thought about religion.

Regardless of the stats though, why on earth would you assume an individual person's religion and then point them to the nearest church?

No, of course not. But some people aren’t very deep thinkers, or are a bit socially inept. Given this person’s later comments, they also just sound like an arsehole.

You’re thinking of Northern Ireland. Ireland (ROI) has traditionally been >90% Catholic, although that has changed in recent years.

They probably meant “you must be culturally Catholic”? That wouldn’t be an unreasonable assumption. I am culturally Anglican, even though I have zero faith and regard all religions as man-made nonsense. Just because they assumed you were culturally Catholic, that doesn’t mean they assumed you were a believer.

My ancestors were mostly raised in the Church of England (though I also have Catholic Irish ancestors), and I have an affection for the Book of Common Prayer and The King James Bible, but only because the language is so beautiful and because my ancestors heard those words week in and week out for generations. I don’t believe anything that is written in them, and I have no respect or affection for the religion they represent. However, they are part of the canon of English literature, which is kind of the literature of my ‘tribe’.

But they were talking to (I’m assuming from the totality of your posts) a white woman with an Irish accent. The reality is that the vast majority of people born in Ireland to Irish parents 42 years ago would nominally identify as Catholic, even if they’re not really practicing.

It seems fashionable about the minute to bring up the catholic / Protestant divide. The English are trying to educate themselves on it. Annoying my phone doesn’t autocorrect catholic with a capital. iPhones must be Protestants.

Without causing WW3 on here, you don't have this issue in Scotland. Its certainly never the 1st thing I assume, however jocks are pretty well versed and will ask you if you support Celtic or Rangers instead because there are clearly the only 2 teams Irish and Scottish support 🙄

Its veiled ignorance OP. Just like every gypsy or traveller is Irish.

And in people 40 and under it’s down to about a half Catholic, quarter ‘no religion’.

Quite apart from the assumption of being Catholic, what an odd thing to say about the Catholic church! I don't live in London and have never had a conversation about religion. I think you have a strange colleague who may have some issues with Irish/Catholics.

the plot thickens 😂

Polish are the largest non Irish group in Ireland and 70% of those declared themselves as Catholic in the last census. So there is also the fact that not all Catholics in Ireland are Irish!

It’s nearer two thirds than three quarters. As to the remainder, it’s quite easy to get census data - you’ve forgotten the next largest group which is what the OP belongs to.

As of the 2022 census, 69.1% of the population in the Republic of Ireland identified as Catholic, while 14.8% reported having no religion. Other religious affiliations included 4.2% Protestant, 2.1% Eastern Orthodox, and smaller percentages for Islam and Hinduism

Your colleague is a numpty. Tell her this (remember to include "No offence").

3/4 = 3 in 4 people. that's a lot of Catholic people.

sure! Ireland has become multicultural in the past 30 years.

I understood your question that you were wondering why people assume that you, a Republic of Ireland native is Catholic. Doesn’t mean that I’d mention religion or point you to the nearest church. I wouldn’t assume that you practise religion.

I’d never think that people who moved to Ireland from abroad are Catholic.